Diabetes disaster hitting Australia

ONGOING consumption of takeaway food dripping with fat, high in salt and kilojoules is a type 2 diabetes disaster waiting to happen.

The latest offering from fast-food giant, KFC, has been labeled unhelpful and irresponsible as the country battles one of the biggest health problems of this generation.

Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease in the world and a major cause of heart attack, stroke and renal failure. There are 60 new cases of type 2 diabetes being diagnosed in Queensland a day.

Diabetes Queensland’s Chief of Operations Taryn Black said it’s a sad fact that today’s children may be the first generation not to outlive their parents.

More than half of Queensland’s adult population classified as obese or overweight, which is the leading cause of type 2 diabetes.

“We are an obesogenic society. People are already struggling to get down to, or maintain a healthy weight. Throwing something like this into the mix will no doubt contribute to obesity levels.”

Ms Black said disclosure of nutritional content on the menu boards is one of the measures needed to combat the diabetes epidemic.

“We know that obesity is one of the main causes of type 2 diabetes, which can largely be prevented through diet and exercise. People should be looking for ways to reduce their fat intake and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. They need to be armed with the information at point of sale to make a healthy choice if they want to.”

Ms Black said consumers also need a range of menu options that are good for their health.

“We know around 4.5 million Australians are visiting fast-food outlets every day. Healthy options are needed for busy people on the go.”

Diabetes Queensland has been lobbying for point of sale information on menu boards. It also supports a proposal by the Queensland Government for nationally consistent measures to reduce intakes of energy, saturated fat, sugar and salt at fast-food outlets.